Adam Vinatieri is the Patriots' all-time scoring leader and the most reliable kicker in franchise history.

The second of four children born to Paul and Judy Vinatieri, Adam Matthew Vinatieri was born on December 28th, 1972 in Yankton, South Dakota. He attended Rapid City Central High School (South Dakota), where he lettered in football, soccer, track, and wrestling. He earned first-team all-state honors in 1991.

Adam went on to attend South Dakota State, where he was a four-year letterman as a place-kicker and handled the team's punting chores from 1992 through 1994, earning himself first-team all-conference honors in each of those three seasons. He finished his collegiate career as the school;s all-time scoring leader with 185 career points scored. He earned his degree in fitness and wellness.

After college he spent the fall of 1995 training to compete professionally, and his hard work paid off. Adam received a World League tryout and earned a roster position with the Amsterdam Admirals as a place-kicker and punter.

Vinatieri signed with the Patriots as a rookie free agent on June 28, 1996, and was re-signed on July 19, 1998 and March 12, 1999. On February 21, 2002, he was designated the Patriots' franchise player and on March 15, 2002, he was once again re-signed.

Adam has been very active in the community since joining the Patriots in 1996. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes in Action, D.A.R.E. and the Governers Highway Safety Bureau are just a few of the many charities that Adam has donated time and resources to over the past couple of years.